It feels that the saga is just about over. Dylan Larkin has been suspended without pay while he refuses to get back on the ice for the Red Wings. In the 10 games he did play, he registered 2 goals, 4 assists, +3, and was eating up over 21 minutes of ice time a night. Safe to say he was a key piece to the team until the very end. With a list of 10 teams that he had given the organization that we would accept a trade to, I have my top 3 that I would like for him to end up on. Also an honorable mention that is a team outside of his list. You may also find a very common factor in these teams.
The honorable mention is the Toronto Maple Leafs. While not on the list, the chemistry between he and Auston Matthews was awesome. The Maple Leafs are not far from being a Stanley Cup contender which at the end of the day is what I believe Larkin is looking for more than anything else.
3. Vegas Golden Knights
Just looking at the thumbnail photo, it would be an easy fit for Larkin to fit right into Sin City. Vegas is coming off a cup appearance in a weaker division out in the Pacific. If the team is able to move either himself or Karlsson to the wing, a second line of Larkin, Karlsson, and Marner would be electric for VGK and would be hard to find a better second line in hockey. He would also be reunited with Olympic teammates Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin.
My issue with Vegas isn’t that they won’t do it, we know they will. Do they have the ammunition to do it however? VGK is ruthless with prospects and draft picks. They are willing to trade every last one of them. This would be the team that could be the most aggressive but could easily have the least to offer. Might not matter if Larkin forces himself there.
2. New Jersey Devils
If the Devils can pull off Team USA Jr. this will be one of the biggest stories the league has had in many years. Bringing in Larkin would signify that they will be all in on bringing in Quinn Hughes. The Devils would then be positioned to have Luke Hughes (Quinn’s youngest brother), Jack Hughes (Team USA and Quinn’s brother), Dylan Larkin (Team USA), and Connor Hellebuyck (Team USA and Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient). That would be three levels of some of the most elite talent the roster has to offer. Based on Sunny Mehta’s ability to work the market, it truly wouldn’t shock me if both Larkin and Quinn are playing home games at Prudential by the deadline.
1.Minnesota Wild
The team that needs to stop Jersey and the guy that I would trust to do it would be Billy G and the Minnesota Wild. Similarly to the Devils, they could try and team up Quinn and Larks. They also don’t lack Team USA teammates in having Matt Boldy and Brock Faber on the roster. As an American, playing in the state of hockey is special. Guerin will need to take his junk out, throw it on the table, and let the league know he is pushing all in while Quinn Hughes is on the roster. He’s the type of guy that can do that as well. Larkin is high motor and a team glue player that will add a first line center which would be insane to watch as he sets up Boldy and Kaprizov on 5 of 5 and to be a presence in front of the net on the power play.
The 30 year old Dylan Larkin has suitors and in my opinion the Red Wings have really screwed this up over the past year or so. No matter where he goes, hockey fans should just want for Larkin to be playing meaningful hockey in May.
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